Written in Irv Yalom's inimitable story-telling style, "Staring at the Sun" is a profoundly encouraging approach to the universal issue of mortalit...
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Dec 05, 2007
Some smart person, back in the early days of Amazon decided that, while books should be rated on a five-point scale, reviews should be either ‘useful’ or ‘not useful’. Good idea. Something that helps you decide to buy or not-a perfectly binary process-should be judged in a similarly binary fashion. Either it helps or it doesn’t.
A book that makes the immodest claim of helping the reader overcome the terror of death can probably best be judged the same way. Did it help or not?
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Dec 29, 2009
Talat
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Yalom, a psychiatrist (Emeritus Stanford University School of Medicine) has written a manual and memoir to show us how he, his patients and many people have been able to transmute the foreknowledge looming before all humans that we will one day die into a catalyst for consummating one's own life. Yalom directly addresses the question of how can we, even if we are not theists leave our own traces of "immortality."
Although Yalom maintains he is an atheist, he demonstrates a g More...
Although Yalom maintains he is an atheist, he demonstrates a g More...
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Jan 09, 2009
Athena
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“To become wise you must learn to listen to the wild dogs barking in your cellar”
Yalom’s new book about overcoming the terror of death was a surprise to me. Although I have thought about death, I am not afraid of death itself. Even at this age – approaching 50 - my thoughts are mainly consumed with making plans about the future, and definitely not death.
Nevertheless, I read this book with great interest. I was surprised to discover that Yalom refers to the knowledge and t More...
Yalom’s new book about overcoming the terror of death was a surprise to me. Although I have thought about death, I am not afraid of death itself. Even at this age – approaching 50 - my thoughts are mainly consumed with making plans about the future, and definitely not death.
Nevertheless, I read this book with great interest. I was surprised to discover that Yalom refers to the knowledge and t More...
Jan 26, 2011
Hazel
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This is a fantastic book and it has really helped me face my death anxiety. My death anxiety has been terrible for such a long time and nothing has offered any relief until I picked this book up. I am still obsessing about death but I am starting to see it in a new light and my fear is gradually fading and being replaced by a feeling of freedom, I love life and my eyes are open fully.
I have several anxiety disorders but reading this book has shown me that most of my anxiety is down More...
I have several anxiety disorders but reading this book has shown me that most of my anxiety is down More...
Jul 10, 2010
Tom
rated it:
Dr. Yalom says that everyone, on some level, lives in fear of his own mortality and as that fear manifests in manifold ways it hampers our enjoyment of the moment to moment pleasures of living.
(I'm no expert, but I say if you're one of those claiming not to be freaked out by the prospect of your own end, well, you're just not paying close enough attention to what your subconscious is yelling at you! Think Munch's painting "The Scream".)
The author explores concl More...
(I'm no expert, but I say if you're one of those claiming not to be freaked out by the prospect of your own end, well, you're just not paying close enough attention to what your subconscious is yelling at you! Think Munch's painting "The Scream".)
The author explores concl More...
Feb 10, 2010
Khaya
rated it:
Yalom frequently poses the following thought experiment to his clients:
Suppose you were told that after your death, you were destined to relive your entire life exactly as it is, with all the same choices and all the same consequences.
1. Would that be a reward or a punishment?
2. What can you do now in your life so that one year or five years from now, you won't look back and feel dismayed about the new regrets you've accumulated?
3. Even if you are subject More...
Suppose you were told that after your death, you were destined to relive your entire life exactly as it is, with all the same choices and all the same consequences.
1. Would that be a reward or a punishment?
2. What can you do now in your life so that one year or five years from now, you won't look back and feel dismayed about the new regrets you've accumulated?
3. Even if you are subject More...
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Nov 06, 2009
Liesl
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This book is beautifully written and flows like a conversation. It addresses the difficult (for many) topic of facing our own mortality and how to turn the knowledge of our mortality into a force for living better. While Yalom directly addresses fellow therapists in one part of the book, it is still an approachable and useful read for anyone. Coming from my perspective as a future existential therapist, this was a perfect read.
Yalom addresses the different ways death anxiety can sho More...
Yalom addresses the different ways death anxiety can sho More...
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May 29, 2009
Ionia
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This book was sent for review.
To be sure, the subject matter of this book greatly interested me at first, even though the book was written in a somewhat simplistic style that I'm not really used to.
I've always been concerned and perhaps even obsessed with matters of death and the existential dilemma; however, as this book went on, with some great quotes from Nietzsche by the way, the author begins to show his true colours. He doesn't seem very fond of religion, the idea o More...
To be sure, the subject matter of this book greatly interested me at first, even though the book was written in a somewhat simplistic style that I'm not really used to.
I've always been concerned and perhaps even obsessed with matters of death and the existential dilemma; however, as this book went on, with some great quotes from Nietzsche by the way, the author begins to show his true colours. He doesn't seem very fond of religion, the idea o More...
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Jan 24, 2012
Olga
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Лёгкая, убедительная и написанная простым языком книга о том, как преодолеть страх смерти. Основная мысль заключается в том, что необходимо жить каждый день так, как хочется и как велит сердце - в этом случае будет не обидно за бесцельно потраченные годы и не будет давить страх того, что что-то не реализовано и не доделано. Также в книге рассматриваются жизненные истории пациентов Ялома и какие советы он им давал на консультациях.
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Jun 11, 2009
James
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Warm, brilliant, and deeply empathic - I think this is Dr. Yalom's best work yet. This is a subject I've had to deal with over and over - as a career Marine, as a psychotherapist, and in the deaths of friends and of my parents. I find a lot of what Irvin Yalom wrote here resonating with my experiences and what I've come to believe and feel, and a lot of conversations with my wife, who is a clinical social worker and worked for a while in a hospice program. I would recommend this book for anyone
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Sep 02, 2010
AJ
rated it:
I enjoyed reading about Yalom's perspective on Existential Psychotherapy and decided to explore a little more of him. This is one of the most recent books he has published. He has a wealth of experience, being almost 75 years old (I think).
What I liked most were his practical applications surrounding the topic of death, such as "rippling".
Overall the information is what I would consider light reading - definitely approachable by anyone who has a desire to confr More...
What I liked most were his practical applications surrounding the topic of death, such as "rippling".
Overall the information is what I would consider light reading - definitely approachable by anyone who has a desire to confr More...
Apr 02, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
So far I've identified it as a must read for Sylvia.
I "enjoyed" the book.
It is a book about how we confront death in our daily lives. I think I've had a series of overwhelmingly difficult confrontations with death and lacked skills to deal well-so the book helped me examine that.
Dr. Yalom is a good read. And having read a number of his works I found this another facet in understanding. I wish there was more humor, but, then, having learned this is a defens More...
I "enjoyed" the book.
It is a book about how we confront death in our daily lives. I think I've had a series of overwhelmingly difficult confrontations with death and lacked skills to deal well-so the book helped me examine that.
Dr. Yalom is a good read. And having read a number of his works I found this another facet in understanding. I wish there was more humor, but, then, having learned this is a defens More...
Mar 28, 2008
Max
rated it:
I've experienced death-terror since I was about 9. It usually strikes as I am falling asleep, a heart-racing panic attack that is triggered by the idea that one day I will be dead and there is nothing I can do about it. I heard Dr. Yalom on NPR and I immediately ordered his book - it was at first a relief to know that I was not alone in this terror. Yalom presents three ways to address death-terror: the argument for symmetry, the irrational logic, and attachment through connections with others.
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Oct 20, 2008
Vicky
rated it:
Here is another interesting book by Yalom with the mixture of
philosophy, psychology and wisdom of long life. The fear of death is the main point of discussion and even if it is not a jolly topic, we all can relate to it in some way or another. There are a lot of case studies, great insights into different phobias and anxieties and neurosis that can be tracked to this main human fear. For me Yalom always broadens my horizons and his books on Schopenhauer and Nietzsche are great examples of More...
philosophy, psychology and wisdom of long life. The fear of death is the main point of discussion and even if it is not a jolly topic, we all can relate to it in some way or another. There are a lot of case studies, great insights into different phobias and anxieties and neurosis that can be tracked to this main human fear. For me Yalom always broadens my horizons and his books on Schopenhauer and Nietzsche are great examples of More...
Apr 08, 2009
Kara
rated it:
This book, about coming to terms with death, has a much more practical, tutorial style than some other Yalom books I've read. I thought that made it less interesting, but probably more helpful. He pulls gems of advice from his philosophical forefathers, but also includes observations from his own psychotherapy practice. And - because I think Yalom is the greatest - I loved the sense that he was blending his voice with those of other Great Thinkers who have pondered death. Also, Irv is no spring
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Aug 03, 2011
Filipa
rated it:
O terceiro livro que li de Irvin Yalom, num estilo um pouco diferente dos anteriores, pois não existe ficção uma vez que refere alguns relatos de pacientes seus e expõe pensamentos do próprio acerca da questão mais crucial das nossas vidas: a morte. Um livro poderoso, directo e empático que aborda o medo da morte na sua forma subjectiva, com o intuito de fazer o leitor meditar sobre os seus próprios terrores (in)conscientes.
Dec 07, 2008
Ellen
rated it:
Wonderful book by a wise psychiatrist and teacher. Yalom shares clinical stories and personal insights about the most basic existential issue of all, our own deaths. Far from gloomy, the book is full of hope. Yalom is an atheist, so there are no religious cliches. I found that very refreshing. He does not aim to tear down anyone's faith, but to offer comfort to both believer and non-believer alike.
Apr 27, 2009
I discovered this through this excellent radio show's (the complete archive can be found here) interview with the author:
Overcoming the Terror of Death: A Discussion with Irv Yalom in Front of a Live Audience
Overcoming the Terror of Death: A Discussion with Irv Yalom in Front of a Live Audience
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Feb 10, 2009
Katlet
rated it:
I especially enjoyed the chapter on being a therapist and dealing with clients' death anxiety. I'm not sure that I find his philosophical ideas about death to be helpful in terms of my own death anxiety, but I do find it helpful to know that so many other people deal with this feeling.
Aug 06, 2011
An incredible look into how realizing your mortality can awaken you to live more fully. Yalom is an existential therapist. If you are looking for a uniquely Christian perspective on this issue, i would recommend Rob Moll "The Art of Dying"
Mar 21, 2009
Emp1101
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Not only is this a thought-provoking book about how I view death, but also how I want to live the rest of my life. Citing philosophers, work with his clients and his own philosophy, Yalom takes us on this journey. Well worth the read!
Nov 30, 2008
Vicky
rated it:
I'm still terrified.
But Yalom is a great, thoughtful writer, and he makes sense a lot of the time. I can't believe that I'll be floating around in the same nothingness I apparently floated around in before I was born. I like the idea of posterity: "Look for me among my friends."
But Yalom is a great, thoughtful writer, and he makes sense a lot of the time. I can't believe that I'll be floating around in the same nothingness I apparently floated around in before I was born. I like the idea of posterity: "Look for me among my friends."
May 12, 2009
Candy
rated it:
A good book to bring up issues on death, but the last part of the book focuses on how therapists can discuss death with their patients. Since I am not a therapist, it became too difficult for me to sift out pertinent points for myself.
Dec 16, 2010
Jeff
rated it:
Dr. Yalom takes on one of the most difficult subjects in psychotherapy: how to face our death anxiety, learn to live with it, and create more authentic lives because of it. Dr. Yalom uses his usual technique of introducing ideas and supporting them with vignettes of real therapy sessions. The book is a gift to those who may not be able to face their own mortality without dread and despair. As usual with Dr. Yalom, I would recommend this book to anyone, but particularly those in the helping profe
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Jun 26, 2008
Martine
rated it:
Let's see....this was book was pretty good. Obviously, it's a very serious, very important topic. It was relatively easy to read, with lots of case studies which is always interesting. I guess I was expecting more...a lot of it seemed somewhat elementary, but maybe that's just because I'm fascinated with this subject and am surrounded by it every day (4 this week). However, I found the last chapter particularly interesting. He gave advice to therapists on how to approach the topic of death
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Nov 05, 2008
Megan
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i was initially reluctant to read this, as it seemed like a sort of self help book, but my boyfriend (a counselor, himself), convinced me to read it after he had done so. i've been obsessive over death since around fourth grade, but in the past year, i've watched a close friend lose her husband, and more recently lost my grandmother, and all of this has made me fixated, probably unhealthily, on death. in that context, i think yalom brings together a lot of good existential philosophers to make a
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Apr 01, 2011
Warren
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Excellent for both the therapist and the lay person. Yalom puts the complicated into simple terms and makes the reading a pleasure. Fast read.
Jun 02, 2009
Mariaazevedo65
rated it:
Um livro a ser lido em qualquer idade. Confronta-nos com o medo mais oculto e que é a origem de todos os outros medos: o medo da morte.
May 09, 2011
Read this last year after the death of my mother. Useful for someone like me without a strong religious foundation and community.
Dec 09, 2008
Julie
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Another interesting read from Irving Yalom about death anxiety. I recommend it.
